T&T suffer late defeat to Haiti

Warriors Turn Attention to Dominican Republic After Late Setback Against Haiti

Trinidad and Tobago will look to respond quickly when they return to Concacaf Nations League action against the Dominican Republic at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Sunday night, following a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Haiti in Kingston.

The Warriors appeared on course for a positive start to their 2026/27 Nations League campaign after fighting back from a goal down to lead 2-1 at Sabina Park on Thursday, only to concede twice in second-half stoppage time.

Haiti opened the scoring in the 23rd minute through Fabrice Picault, but T&T responded eight minutes later when Wayne Frederick II found the net with a right-footed finish.
Captain Levi Garcia then put the Warriors ahead in the 59th minute, giving T&T a 2-1 advantage they carried into added time.

However, Garven-Michee Metusala equalised for Haiti in the 91st minute before Wilson Isidor struck with virtually the final kick of the match to complete the late turnaround.
Head Coach Derek King admitted the manner of the defeat was difficult to take, particularly after his team had put itself in a position to secure all three points.

“It tough to lose a game with the last kick,” King said following the match.

“When we went ahead in the second half, I think the lines started to drop a little deep. We started to drop too deep, because I think fatigue started stepping in. So, it’s something that we have to build on.”

T&T entered the match dealing with a number of injuries and player unavailability, which forced several late adjustments to the squad.
Dante Sealy was ruled out and returned to Canada, while Roald Mitchell and Nathaniel James were also unavailable through injury. Kieran Ngwenya, Molik Khan and Kobi Henry were among those unavailable for the encounter.

Those circumstances opened the door for Club Sando defender Jaheim Joseph to make his senior international debut, while Josiah Trimmingham returned to the squad.

There was also an unexpected opportunity for locally based goalkeeper Jabari Brice, who entered the match in the 65th minute after starting goalkeeper Denzil Smith was forced off through injury.

King was also required to make several defensive changes during the contest.
Trimmingham, who had picked up a knock, was replaced by Joseph at half-time, while Rio Cardines was withdrawn in the 64th minute. Garcia, who had only arrived in Jamaica less than 48 hours before the match, was also replaced in the second half.

“Some of our top players had to come off during the game, so I think that kind of hampered our game plan,” King explained.

“Trimmingham got a knock in the first half. He really tried to make it in the second half; he didn’t. Rio had a little knock as well. Our skipper only landed less than 48 hours before the game, so it was a little tough.”

Despite the disappointment, the Warriors will have little time to dwell on the result as attention now shifts immediately to the next Group A assignment.

T&T face the Dominican Republic at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Sunday, with the focus firmly on regrouping, recovering and producing a strong response in front of the home support.

The Nations League campaign remains at an early stage, and King and his players will be looking to take the positives from their performance in Kingston while addressing the areas that proved costly late in the match.
For the Warriors, the message now is simple: recover, reset and be ready for the next challenge.

T&T: 22. Denzil Smith (GK) (1. Jabari Brice, GK, 65’); 19. Rio Cardines (2. Déron Payne, 64’), 5. Josiah Trimmingham (4. Jaheim Joseph, 46’), 17. Justin Garcia, 23. Noah Powder; 14. Wayne Frederick II (6. Andrew De Gannes, 83’), 18. Andre Rampersad, 8. Daniel Phillips; 11. Levi Garcia (12. Dantaye Gilbert, 75’), 7. Ryan Telfer, 16. Tyrese Spicer.

Unused substitutes: 21. Jahiem Wickham (GK), 10. Luke Phillip, 13. Reon Moore, 20. Real Gill; Coach: Derek King.

HAITI: 1. Alexandre Pierre (GK); 2. Carlens Arcus, 4. Garven-Michee Metusala, 5. Hannes Delcroix, 8. Martin Experience; 6. Carl Sainte (10. Jean Bellegarde, 57’), 17. Danley Jean-Jacques (20. Frantzdy Pierrot, 83’); 11. Don Louicius (15. Ruben Providence, 69’), 7. Fabrice Picault (19. Yassin Enzo Fortune, 57), 21. Dany Jean (9. Kenny Emmanuel Quetant, 57’); 18. Wilson Isidor.

Unused substitutes: 12. Johan Mednard (GK), 23. Josue Duverger (GK), 3. Francois Dulysse, 13. Markhus Lacroix, 14. Dominique Celidor Simon, 22. Jean-Kevin Duverne; Coach: David Badia.